Key Facts
• On December 14, heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in Safi, Morocco.
• 37 people have died, and 14 others are injured and receiving hospital treatment.
• At least 70 homes and businesses were submerged, and roads were cut off.
• A man who lost loved ones stated, “I have lost everything.”
• A woman described water entering her home through the roof, destroying everything.
• The flooding is linked to a seven-year drought that left the ground unable to absorb water.
• Authorities warn of continued heavy rain after December 16, with schools in northern areas closed.
Summary
On December 14, torrential rain caused devastating floods in Safi, a coastal city in Morocco. The disaster has claimed 37 lives, injured 14, and left significant damage, including submerged homes and disrupted roads. Residents shared harrowing accounts of loss, with one man mourning the deaths of friends and neighbors, and a woman describing her home being destroyed by water entering through the roof. The floods are exacerbated by a prolonged seven-year drought, which has left the ground unable to absorb rainfall, increasing the risk of flash floods. Authorities have implemented precautionary measures, including school closures in northern regions, as heavy rain is expected to continue beyond December 16.
